Input element for a telephone

Abstract

An input element for a telephone for inputting data having two rotary functions in respectively opposite directions, and which also has two key functions which are independent of the rotary functions, the key functions being triggered by a movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rotary movement. In addition, the input element preferably being coupled to a display with menu items or numbers being arranged essentially on a circle.

1. An input element for inputting data, comprising:
 an actuator wheel supported axially on a ball bearing to provide rotary movement of the actuator wheel in opposite directions along a plane of the bearing and to provide tilting movement of the actuator wheel out of the plane of the rotary movement on two sides of the bearing; 
 sensors that determine the rotational and tilting movements of the actuator wheel; and 
 a processing unit, operatively coupled to the sensors, wherein the processing unit executes:
 a rotary function for each determined rotational direction; 
 a first key function that is independent of the rotary functions, the first key function being triggered by a determined tilting that is in the direction of a first side that is out of the plane of the rotary movement; and 
 a second key function that is independent of the rotary functions, the second key function being triggered by a determined tilting function that is in the direction of a second side that is out of the plane of the rotary movement. 
 
 
   
   
     2. An input element for inputting data as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein two sensors arranged on each side of the actuator wheel within a tilting range. 
   
   
     3. An input element for inputting data as claimed  claim 1 , wherein the actuator wheel rotates in one of a latching and a non-latching fashion. 
   
   
     4. An input element for inputting data as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator wheel rotates in a freely running fashion. 
   
   
     5. An input element for inputting data as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator wheel is provided with a stop. 
   
   
     6. An input element for inputting data as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a further sensor for determining the rotary movement and direction. 
   
   
     7. An input device for inputting data on an input device, comprising:
 an actuator wheel supported axially on a ball bearing to provide rotary movement of the actuator wheel in opposite directions along a plane of the bearing and to provide tilting movement of the actuator wheel out of the plane of the rotary movement on two sides of the bearing; 
 input means that determine the rotational and tilting movements of the actuator wheel, and executes:
 a rotary function for each determined rotational direction, 
 a first key function that is independent of the rotary functions, the first key function being triggered by a determined tilting that is in the direction of a first side that is out of the plane of the rotary movement, and 
 a second key function that is independent of the rotary functions, the second key function being triggered by a determined tilting function that is in the direction of a second side that is out of the plane of the rotary movement; and 
 
 a display, wherein one or more of the executed functions are shown on the display. 
 
   
   
     8. An input device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the display device has a substantially circular area. 
   
   
     9. An input device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the executed functions are menu items and numbers and are arranged substantially along a circle within the display. 
   
   
     10. An input device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the display has at least two different colors. 
   
   
     11. An input device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the input device is part of a mobile telephone.